Cal Joseph Demercurio Jr., 32, and Joshua David Norton, 35, were arraigned in Shasta County Superior Court only hours after a slew of criminal charges were filed against both men by the Shasta County District Attorney's Office.

Among the charges filed include burglary, cruelty to animals, grand theft and a series of related enhancements.

Josh Norton(Photo: Shasta County Sheriff's Office)

"We have a bunch of charges here," said Superior Court Judge Cara Beatty, who also ordered them to have no contact with police officer Ryan Ellis.

Demercurio is charged with 14 felonies, including 10 counts of grand theft, while Norton is charged with 15 felony counts.

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Cal Demercurio Jr., shown Tuesday at his arraignment with defense attorney Melissa Fanoe, pleaded not guilty to burglary, cruelty to animals and other charges. His co-defendant, Joshua Norton, also pleaded not guilty.
Jim Schultz

All three men are scheduled to have their preliminary hearing next month.

Police have said they believe the dog poisoning is related to the March 7 burglary because Ellis noticed the dog acting sick after he discovered the break-in. A veterinarian later confirmed the dog had been poisoned. Tarro is expected to recover.